Seabourn will cease sailing in Western Australia’s Kimberley region after the 2027 season, redeploying its expedition vessel to Arctic and European itineraries in response to growing demand for polar voyages, the luxury cruise line said.
The company, part of Carnival Corporation, only entered the Kimberley market in 2024 with the purpose-built expedition ship Seabourn Pursuit. The vessel is scheduled to operate in the region for four seasons before shifting to higher-latitude routes from 2028.
“Seabourn is seeing strong and sustained guest demand for Arctic expedition voyages, driven by interest in polar exploration, wildlife, and immersive experiences in remote destinations,” a company spokesperson said.
“Our 2028 expedition program reflects this demand.”
The spokesperson said the move was not linked to performance in the Kimberley, describing the programme as “highly regarded by guests” and noting it had delivered strong cultural and destination-focused experiences.
The Kimberley cruise season, which runs from April to September, is one of the most geographically constrained in global expedition cruising, limiting deployment flexibility compared with year-round polar itineraries.
Demand for the remote northern Australian destination has nevertheless been rising. According to Tourism Western Australia, the Port of Broome recorded 68 cruise calls in the 2024–25 season, generating an estimated A$385 million ($250 million) in economic impact.
Up to 10,000 passengers are expected to visit the region during the 2026 season, drawn by natural features such as Montgomery Reef and the Horizontal Falls, as well as Indigenous cultural heritage sites.
Seabourn’s withdrawal comes amid intensifying competition in the Kimberley from other expedition operators, even as global cruise lines increasingly prioritise polar regions where longer seasons and higher yields can be achieved.
The redeployment underscores a broader shift in the expedition cruise sector toward Arctic and Antarctic itineraries, where demand for remote, wildlife-focused travel continues to outpace supply.
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